It's a pretty well realized effect, and ends up being the sole, standout feature of the entire experience. A game with better, unique mechanics in this setting would have been great, but unfortunately Black Knight Sword's tepid hack and slash platforming brings down an otherwise decent downloadable title on PSN and XBLA.

Appropriately priced at $9.99, Black Knight Sword isn't a big threat to your wallet, but it's also not the easiest game to push on your friends. Regardless, this is another capable outing from two great studios that just happen to think alike.

Even with the difficulties that are present, the platforming is never really clunky, and the overall experience is clearly a product of Grasshopper Manufacture. It is a strange ride that can keep players involved for a few hours. Saving frequently and keeping an open mind is a must, but for only ten dollars, you can get some enjoyment out of Black Knight Sword.

The overall weirdness and distinctive art style keep Black Knight Sword from being another run-of-the-mill action game. Yet the five main levels can be completed within two hours, and while there is an option to continue playing on a more challenging difficulty setting as well as additional challenge-oriented modes, the level design doesn't encourage exploration and there's little interactivity aside from slashing at enemies.

Gamers looking for an art-house experience would do well to spend a couple of hours soaking in what Suda 51 has served up. Those more concerned with gameplay they can chew on might want to think twice.

Black Knight Sword world is unique, aesthetically, and that's an accomplishment in itself. Unfortunately, the gameplay isn't as mesmerizing as the visuals ; it's but a poor restitution of old mechanics from 8 and 16bit platformers, without the level design genius of those times.

All things considered, Black Knight Sword is truly a one-of-a-kind experience thanks to its imaginative art direction, soundtrack, narrative and overall concept. For $9.99, those qualities might be enough to warrant a purchase.

Black Knight Sword is a memorable game – but not because of its gameplay. Its art style and incredibly creepy atmosphere elevate it above mediocrity, even though its difficulty and awkward controls are certain to frustrate. Overcoming the title's trials and tribulations makes for a satisfying experience, but don't expect your dreams to ever be the same again.

Had the actual gameplay been less clunky, more well balanced, more challenging and less aggressively abusive, Black Knight Sword's sense of style and unique presentation would have been healthy bonuses on top of an already stable foundation. As is stands though, the game's artistic atmosphere and sense of self are all it has going for it, and sadly that's not quite enough.

Shortcomings aside the unique visual experience that Black Knight Sword offers up is well worth a few hours of your time. At a price tag of $9.99 you certainly can't go wrong; however, just do not expect an experience you will come back to after you have put the game through its paces.

Black Knight Sword isn't particularly good at anything it sets out to do. Moments of gorgeous art design are offset by shamelessly cloned enemies and pointlessly confusing dialogue. The game is clearly doing everything it can to be different, but it appears more time was spent making the game weird than making it a cohesive experience.

If you adore Suda 51's design sensibilities or appreciate games that punish players, then Black Knight Sword might offer enough for you to enjoy your time with it. For everyone else, far too many other games are more worthy of your time and money.

Black Knight Sword seems unwilling to fully commit to making something fun to play above all else. The unforgiving difficulty will likely appeal to some, but for everyone else, take my word for it: You're missing a lot less than you think.

It's a good-looking game with a unique style that screams Goichi Suda's name, but the gameplay is rarely rewarding. So much is working against you that you feel like the only reason you're making any progress at all is because of pure luck rather than skill.

Being a big fan of Suda51, CEO of Grasshopper Manufacture, the mind behind such games as No More Heroes and Lollipop Chainsaw, I've beenBeing a big fan of Suda51, CEO of Grasshopper Manufacture, the mind behind such games as No More Heroes and Lollipop Chainsaw, I've been looking forward to Black Knight Sword since seeing some small write-ups and a few screenshots a while ago. As a fan, it doesn't disappoint. The stylistic presentation is a wonder, the highlight being the multi-layered, diorama-style field of play that shifts in real-time to new areas and vistas as you progress. The screen is framed by a theatre curtain, which serves to transition between different areas and levels, but more importantly emphasizes the fairytale-like story. It's inobtrusive, and a nice touch, but it would have been nice to have the option to remove it. The Black Knight himself, as well as the enemies he encounters, are all done in a hand-drawn, paper puppet style. The animation can appear jarring at first, but the disjointed nature of movement actually ties nicely into the overall aesthetic. Music is another highlight as every scene is haunted by a subtle, entrancing melody. It's not the type of music for casual listening, but it definitely enhances the bizarre play that is Black Knight Sword. Some sound effects, however, are too obnoxious or piercing to be enjoyed in anyway whatsoever. Another failure of the game, the big letdown, as is with most Suda51 games, is the gameplay. Everything functions well, there's a fair variety to the knight's moveset, the levels have enough secrets to warrant exploring, but none of it is truly compelling. There's no sense of an ultimate goal for much of the game, and the confusing layout of branching levels certainly doesn't help your progress. There's some challenging platform segments, and the combat can be fun, but it always feels just as disjointed as the world itself. However, the story (which needs to be experienced more than explained), presentation, art-style, bizarre humor, music, and the few bright spots in gameplay, all warrant a try for this under-the-radar game. Suda fans rejoice! Everyone else, you've been warned.…Full Review »

For some reason I love this game, it have some problems on the game design side of things but whatever i like 2d scrolling game with greatFor some reason I love this game, it have some problems on the game design side of things but whatever i like 2d scrolling game with great art style and nice combat system.... its a weird game, you love it or not.…Full Review »